Metro's Twitter Proves Usefulness After Earthquake

Photo by Simon Shek via Flickr

After yesterday's earthquake, Metro did something unusual for them. They informed the public in real time what was going on with the rail system.

Metro's Twitter account, usually used for stating facts and promoting their services, was quickly put to work. "Bus and Rail Operations report no effects from the earthquake on Metro services. But trains operating at restricted speeds," they tweeted.

Later on, an update: "After earthquake train speeds scheduled to increase by 15 mph every half hour beginning at 1:30 p.m. Normal speeds expected by rush hour." And then another update: "Speeds now up to 45 mph on all rail."

And lastly: "All's well. Normal rail operations have resumed."

A similar type of update from June 5 represents their first-ever tweet on the account: "Due to a major downtown fire this morning, Metro Bus Lines 33, 10, 92, 55 on Main Street detoured to Broadway between 8th and Olympic."